From cutting-edge galleries to gritty nightspots, Allapattah has a character all its own. Andrés Cordoba, Associate Director at Galeria La Cometa, walks us through his go-to spots.
Which neighbourhood are you going to talk us through today, and why?
Allapattah. I am talking about this neighborhood because it is where the gallery I work for, La Cometa, is located, and I spend most of my time in Miami.
Where do you go for your morning coffee (or tea)?
La Cometa Gallery, sounds pretentious, but we are a gallery founded in Colombia. I am sure you will not find a better coffee in the area than ours.
A restaurant or bar you always recommend to friends?
I love edgy, down-to-earth bars, and Miami lacks them. Few spaces allow alternative culture to flourish, so my one to go would be Las Rosas, an icon of Allapattah that just reopened. There is no cover, no one looks at how you are dressed, and there's live music.
A gallery or museum you never miss?
Rubell Museum. This is one of the most exciting museums in Miami, and it helped develop the whole area. In it, you will find amazing, cutting-edge contemporary art.
El Espacio 23. This collection is also amazing. It is a curated selection from Jorge Perez's personal collection, one of the most influential and prolific art collectors and supporters worldwide. It also has a residency program and open studios to meet the artists and their visions.
A local artist you're excited about right now?
Antonia Wright. I met her and her husband, Ruben Millares, last year, and I have been really captivated by her subtle yet ambitious installations. I definitely recommend their work. She is a very exciting local artist who reflects upon complex topics like migration and abortion, among others.
One hidden gem more people should know about?
Las Rosas, again, refreshes the night scene of Miami, in my opinion.
Where do you go when you've got a free afternoon?
On a good day, I go jogging through the Venetian Way. On a better day: Dante's HiFi, a lovely vinyl-only iconic Miami venue.
If someone were visiting your neighbourhood for the first time, what's the one thing they shouldn't miss?
La Cometa and the rest of the galleries in the neighborhood: Mindy Salomon, KDR, Voloshyn, Andrew Reed, etc. These galleries have a powerful contemporary art program and have been strengthening the local scene for years, making Miami visible not only during Art Basel but all year long.
Interviewed by: Kellie Erm
